Buffing wheel assembly



April 6, 1965 G. R. CHURCHILL 3,176,438

BUFFING WHEEL ASSEMBLY Filed Oct. 10, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 49 40 20 3532 I Eh I 36 I 34 INVENTOR F I G 3 GEO/:99 R.

ATTORNEY April 6, 1965 G. R. CHURCHILL 3,176,438

BUFFING WHEEL ASSEMBLY Filed Oct. 10. 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VE N TORear ze R. Church/U ATTORNEY April 1965 G. R. CHURCHILL 3,176,438

BUFFING WHEEL ASSEMBLY Filed 00 10, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet a ATTORNEYUnited States Patent 3,176,438 BUFFING WHEEL ASSEMBLY George R.Churchill, Cohasset, Mass, assignor to George R. Churchill Company, Inc,Hingham, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Filed Get. 10, 1961, Ser.No. 144,246

7 Claims. ((11. 51384) This invention relates to a buffing wheelassembly.

The invention has for an object to provide a novel and improved bufiingwheel assembly characterized by structure wherein the butting element isdetachably and replaceably secured to a supporting and retaining disk.

A further and more specific object of the invention is to provide anovel and improved assembly of a buifing Wheel section wherein provisionis made for detachably securing a ring of bufling material to asupporting retainer in a simple and economical manner whereby a wornring of butiing material may be easily and quickly replaced in theassembly.

The invention has for a further object to provide a novel and improvedmethod of assembling the present butfing wheel section.

With these general objects in view and such others as may hereinafterapp-ear, the invention consists in the buffing wheel assembly, in themethod of assembling a buiiing wheel section and in the variousstructures, arrangements and combinations of parts hereinafter de- Tscribed and particularly defined in the claims at the end of thisspecification.

In the drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a bufiing wheel section assemblyembodying the present invention, a portion there- 7 of being brokenaway;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the same, one half thereof being shown incross section, as taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional detail view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a detail view in front elevation of a pronged disk forming apart of the assembly;

FIG. 5 is a detail view of a retaining disk adapted to cooperate withthe pronged disk to detach-ably secure the parts in supporting relationto the bufling wheel ring;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the parts in disassembled relation, someof the parts being shown in cross section; and

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating the preferred method of assembling thepresent bufiing wheel section.

In general the present invention contemplates a butling wheel assemblyfor use as an individual section mounted and clamped on an arbor or foruse in making a buffing setup wherein a plurality of individual sectionsare mounted on an arbor and clamped together to form a buffing surfaceof any desired width.

In general the present invention contemplates a novel and improvedbuifing wheel assembly embodying an annular ring of bufiing material, apronged center disk having an arbor hole adapted to fit the arbor of abufling machine and a clamping member whereby the buffing wheel may bedetachably assembled and disassembled in an economical, efficient andrapid manner, and the disk and clamping member reused in assemblingother buifiing wheels.

The present buifing Wheel construction results in substantial savings inmaterials and labor over similar buffing wheels presently on the market,as will become apparent from the following description. The customerwill only need to purchase in the initial order the centering diskassembly, and since the manufacturer is re- 3,176,438 Patented Apr. 6,1955 lieved of the cost of providing and assembling the centeringassembly on subsequent orders the cost of the buffing Wheels sent to thecustomer may be substantially reduced.

In accordance with the present invention provision is made for providinga reusable center disk assembly to which an annular ring of buttingmaterial may be detachably secured whereby when the bufling material isworn down, the buffing wheel assembly may be easily and quicklydisassembled, and the worn ring of bufling material may be removed andreplaced by a new ring of material. In practice it is proposed that thecustomer be provided with the complete assembled bufling wheel section,including the center disk assembly on the first order, and on subsequentorders the customer will be provided with the annular rings of buffingmaterial only so that the customer may replace his worn sections on thereusable detachable centering and supporting elements in his ownfactory. The customer may also be provided with simple apparatus forassembling the centering disk assembly and ring of buffing material in asimple and efficient manner.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, thepresent bufiing wheel assembly, indicated generally at 10, comprises aclosed ring of connected and radially extended flexible cloth buifingelements 12 which may be connected together adjacent their inner ends byweaving wires 14 Woven around the individual bufling elements. Inpractice a length of connect-ed butfing elements is formed into acircular shape and joined at its ends to form a closed ring comprising abufling section 16. The illustrated buffing elements 12 compriseelongated and relatively wide multi-ply folded cloth bufling elements,the inner ends thereof being bunched together :by the Weaving wires toassume a closely pleated formation, as shown in FIG. 6, the free ends ofthe elements being flared outwardly and partaking a generally wavycontour at their outer ends as shown in :FIG. 2. As also illustrated inFIG. 2, the free ends of the cloth bufiing elements assume a generallyangular position relative to the axis of rotation of the buffing wheelsection and are arranged in overlapping relation to each other as shown.

As herein shown, provision is made for detachably supporting andretaining the bufling Wheel section 16 thus produced by means of atoothed or pronged disk or plate 18 applied to one face of the annularring of buffing material, and an annular clamping member 20 applied tothe other face of the bufling Wheel section and arranged to bedetachably connected to the inner face of the disk 18. As illustrated indetail in FIGS. 4 and 6, the pronged disk 18 comprises a circular memberof relatively heavy sheet metal, about of an inch or more in thickness,having a central opening 22 of a size such as to fit over an arbor, notshown, on which the completely assembled sections are mounted. Thecentral portion of the disk 18 is provided with a smaller diameterconcentric disk 23 of relatively thinner sheet metal, about 19, of aninch or less in thickness, which may be spot welded to the disk 13 andis provided with a central opening 24 defined by an upstanding rim 26concentrically aligned with the opening 22. The outer periphery of thecircular disk 18 is bent at right angles to provide a laterally extendedrim 19 in which a plurality of laterally extending, circumferentiallyspaced teeth or prongs 28 are cut. The circle of prongs 28 is adapted tobe concentrically aligned with and forcibly pressed into one face of theannular ring bufiing material section 16 in a circle immediately beyondthe circle defined by the weaving wires 14. As shown in detail in FIG.6, the teeth 28 are elongated and relal tively sharp'and are spacedapart a distance such as' to provide between adjacent-teeth 28relatively short and wide angled teethfill, the teeth 30 also'engagingvand pressing against the face of .the cloth ring. vit will be seen thatthe depth of the-teethlg cut in the rim19 is such as to leave an uncutportion ofthe rim between. t the base of the teeth and the diskfor'increased strength.

assembling operation. thus constructed, it will be seen.

that when one or more bufiing sections of a setup are worn down, theindividual worn sections removed from .thearbor -may be easilyandquickly disassemlbled by Such. uncut portion "of the rim extendsabove the face of the, annular'ring of bufiingxmaterial when 'the teethare extendedinto the buffing materialiand also serves to provide ineffect a spacer between adjacent buffing rings when a plurality ofassembled sections are mounted on an arbor and clamped thereon, suchspacing being a a of advantage for cooling purposes; In practicethefteeth 218 may be straight or they may be inclined inwardly rotatingthe clampingmember'im in a counterclockwise direction, whereupon theworn material may be removed 54:which may be of the same diameter as thearbor'on at a relatively slight angle so as'to effect a slight grippingaction on the bufling material into which they are pressed. However, theiends of the teeth are not bent over or clinched sinceit'is desirable toeffiect easy separation of a worn ring of buffing material from thediskfor salvagepurposes and reuse inother forms and to replace the wornmaterial with new material. I As thus assembled, the pron-ged disk 18supports the 'flexibleannular ring of bufiing material 16 in itscircular 25, 7

I moved from the arbor 54, and the centering disk 56is form and preventsoutward-radial displacement of theiconnected elongated buifing elementsll during the buffing which the completely assembled sections areto be mounted'. A: centering disk 56 having an outside diameter of thesame size as the inner periphery of the cloth ring16 is placed over thearbor '54' to rest on the platen 52.

The outer periphery of the centering disk may be slightly tapered asshown; The annular ring of bufiing material a 16 is then placed over thecentering disk 56' to rest onthe the 'rod withthe teeth facingdownwardly engaging the platen. The ringis thus centered relative to thecentral arbor '54, and the pronged disk 18 is then placed over upperface of the clothring. Suflicient pressure may then be applied to theouter'faceofthe disk 18, either'pneuoperation. :It will be observed thatthe inner marginal f jthe oppositeface of the cloth ring and rotated topresent the cars 48 undertheclips 32, as described, to complete portionof the cloth ring section. 16 overlaps the outer periphery of ,thepronged disk 18 for a short distance. In practice the lengths oftheteeth 28 are preferably such as to extend a substantialdistance into theinner marginal portion of the ring, as indicated in. FIG. 2,

rality of equally spaced spring metal clips'32, herein shown as three innumber, each of which, as shownin detail in matically or by a punchpress, to press the teeth into the bufing material. Thereafter, theassembled unit is re removed. whereuponthe clamping plate 20, is appliedto assembly of the buffing wheelunit.

' While the fbufling ring section 16, herein illustrated, fcomprisesconnected radially extendedbufling elements it v will be apparent:tliat'other types of annular bufiing sec- FIG. 3, is provided ,with'abase portion 34 riveted or otherwise secured to the disk 18, an upwardlybent angular portion 36, a horizontal portion38 and a'down1 wardly andupwardly curved portion 40. The spaced clips '32 are arranged tocooperate with theannular clamping member 20 which, as shown inFIGS.Sand 6, comprises a disk shaped member having a projecting circularportion 41, and an outer flange 42. The projecting portion41 is definedby a side wall 44 which is provided with an in Wardly extended relatively narrow flange 46. Extending radially inwardly from the inner flange46 are three equally spaced ears '48. In assembling the clamping member20 with the annular ring of'bufling material 16, the projecting portion41 is fltt-ed snugly'into the inner periphery of the ring section, withthe outer flange 42 hearing against theadjacent face of the ring sectionand 7 covering the Weaving wir'esj1j4. The side wall'44 may tions may beused, suchasa ring of superimposed annular layersof cloth,orsuperimposed layers of cloth "folded into a U-shape and formed into aring. It will-also be apparent that bufiing or 'cutting materials otherthan cloth mayalso be used with equal advantage.

"From the above description itwill be .seenthat the present buflingwheel assembly provides a. simple, efficient and economical structurefor detachably supporting a flexible annular buflingelementto be-mountedon an arbor and clamped thereto. The present supporting structure may beeconomically produced and may be reused for V supporting a new buflingring whenthefirst ring becomes worn, thuslgreatly reducing the overallcost to the conbe slightlytaperedas shown,-to facilitate assembly] Theclamping member 20 is initially applied withthe spaced ears 48 occurringbetween the spaced clips 32' on the pronged disk 18, and by manuallyrotating the clamping sumer. 1 v

While the preferred embodiment o-fthe invention has been hereinillustratedanddescribed,it will be understood that the invention may beembodied in other forms within "the scope of the following. claims. 7

Having thus described the" invention, what is claimed is: 1. A buffingwheel assembly of the character described comprising an annular bufiingelement, and a reusable center disk assembly comprising a circularretaining disk --having a'central' arbor opening and provided with a plurality of circumferentially. spaced teeth extended laterally member inone direction, h erein. shown as in a clockwise 3 direction, the cars 48are moved underthe-spring clips 32 to lock. the disk. and clampingmember together and complete the assembly of the'buffing wheel section."As a thus assembled, the clamping member 20 resiliently retains thepronged disk 18 in assembled relation with'the annular ring of bufiingmaterial, and in practice one or more of such assembled sections may be.mounted side by side on It will be observed that from the outerperiphery of said disk, said teeth being extended into one face of thebufling element adjacent the inner marginal edge thereof. and concentrictherewith, and a flanged annular clamping me mber'applied to theopposite face of the bufling element having a projecting I a portionfitted snugly'within the inner periphery of the 7 anarbor and clampedthereonto provide a hurling surface i of any desired Width. r

the pronged disk '18 is also providedwith'a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced open} lugs 50, herein shown as six innumber, topermit air to, circulate through the inside of the plurality of sectionsmounted on the arbor for cooling purposes, It will'also' be observedthat each car 48 is provided with an ups-tanding edge portion 49 againstwhich pressure maybe applied 7 for manually rotating the clamping memberduring the butting elementatoalign the clarnping member concentricallywith said bufiinglelement, said clamping member having portions arranged.to cooperate with portionsof the retaining'disk upon rotation of theclamping member to detachably support the parts in assembled relationwhereby to permit easy disassem'bly and replacement of a wornbuflingelement. V a v 2. A bufiing wheel assembly as defined in'claim 1wherein the cooperating portions comprise circumferen- 'tiallyspacedspring clips secured to the inner face of the retaining disk,and-radial, inwardly extended ears on said annular clamping member.

3. A bufiing wheel assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein thecooperating portions comprise circumferentially spaced spring clipssecured to the inner face of the retaining disk, and radial, inwardlyextended ears on said annular clamping member, rotation of the clampingmemher in one direction presenting the ears under the spring clips toresiliently retain the pants in assembled relation, and rotation in theother direction effecting disassembly of the parts.

4. A buffing wheel assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the retainingdisk is provided with openings for circulation of air.

5. A bulfing Wheel assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein thecircumferentially spaced teeth are formed in a laterally extendedperipheral rim, said teeth being elongated and relatively widely spacedand cut at a relatively small angle to provide sharp pointed teeth, therim portion between adjacent elongated teeth being cut to providerelatively short and wide angled teeth and to provide increased strength"between adjacent teeth.

6. A -bufling Wheel assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the annularbuffing element comprises a closed ring of elongated and radiallyextended buffing elements connected together at their inner end byweaving wires, the teeth of said retaining disk being disposed in acircle and extended into the buifing ring beyond the circle formed bythe weaving wires.

7. A buffing wheel assembly of the character described comprising anannular bufiing element, and a reusable center disk assembly comprisinga circular retaining disk having a central arbor opening and providedwith a plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth extended laterallyfrom the outer periphery of said disk, said teeth being extended intoone face of the buffing element adjacent the inn'er marginal edgethereof and concentric therewith, and a flanged annular clamping memberapplied to the opposite face of the buffing element having a projectingportion fitted within the inner periphery of the bufiing element, saidclamping member having portions arranged to cooperate with portions ofthe retaining disk upon rotation of the clamping member to detachablysupport the parts in assembled relation whereby to permit easydisassembly and replacement of a WOIIl bufiing element, said teeth beingcut in a rim portion bent at right angles from the periphery of thedisk, the length of the teeth being such as to leave a continuous uncutrim portion between the base of the teeth and the disk, said uncutportion of the rim extending beyond the face of the bufiing ring in itsassembled condition to serve as a strengthening rib and as a spacerbetween adjacent butting rings when a plurality of assembled units aremouted on an arbor.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 909,204 1/09Niielson 15-179 1,106,833 8/14 Painter 51-193 1,922,108 8/33 Meyers etal. 51-1931 2,522,093 9/50 Churchill 51-193 2,602,274 7/52 Lawler 51-1932,608,035 8/52 'Iullo 51-1931 2,803,097 8/57 Mockiewicz 51-193 2,882,1394/59 Rock 51-293 2,991,165 7/ 61 Meyer et al 51-293 J. SPENCEROVERHOLSER, Primary Examiner.

LESTER M. SVVINGLE, FRANK H. BRONAUGH,

FRANK E. BAILEY, Examiners.

1. A BUFFING WHEEL ASSEMBLY OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED COMPRISING ANANNULAR BUFFING ELEMENT, AND A REUSABLE CENTER DISK ASSEMBLY COMPRISINGA CIRCULAR RETAINING DISK HAVING A CENTRAL ARBOR OPENING AND PROVIDEDWITH A PLURALITY OF CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED TEETH EXTENDED LATERALLYFROM THE OUTER PERIPHERY OF SAID DISK, SAID TEETH BEING EXTENDED INTOONE FACE OF THE BUFFLING ELEMENT ADJACENT THE INNER MARGINAL EDGETHEREOF AND CONCENTRIC THEREWITH, AND A FLANGED ANNULAR CLAMPING MEMBERAPPLIED TO THE OPPOSITE FACE OF THE BUFFING ELEMENT HAVING A PROJECTINGPORTION FITTED SNUGLY WITHIN THE INNER PERIPHERY OF THE BUFFING ELEMENTTO ALIGN THE CLAMPING MEMBER CONCEN-